To repeal section 301.143, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to
disabled parking signs, with a penalty provision.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

Section A. Section 301.143, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu
thereof, to be known as section 301.143, to read as follows:

301.143. 1. As used in this section, the term "vehicle" shall have the same meaning
given it in section 301.010, and the term "physically disabled" shall have the same meaning
given it in section 301.142.

2. Political subdivisions of the state may by ordinance or resolution designate parking
spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card
issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142. Owners of private property used for public
parking shall also designate parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a
distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142. Whenever
a political subdivision or owner of private property so designates a parking space, the space shall
be indicated by a sign upon which shall be inscribed the international symbol of accessibility and
shall also include any appropriate wording to indicate that the space is reserved for the exclusive
use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate or card. The sign described in this
subsection shall also state, or an additional sign shall be posted below or adjacent to the sign
stating, the following: "$50 to $300 fine."

3. Any political subdivision, by ordinance or resolution, and any person or corporation
in lawful possession of a public off-street parking facility or any other owner of private property
may designate reserved parking spaces for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a
distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 as close as
possible to the nearest accessible entrance. Such designation shall be made by posting
immediately adjacent to, and visible from, each space, a sign upon which is inscribed the
international symbol of accessibility, and may also include any appropriate wording to indicate
that the space is reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license
plate or card.

4. The local police or sheriff's department may cause the removal of any vehicle not
displaying a distinguishing license plate or card on which is inscribed the international symbol
of accessibility and the word "disabled" issued pursuant to section 301.142 or a "disabled
veteran" license plate issued pursuant to section 301.071 or a distinguishing license plate or card
issued by any other state from a space designated for physically disabled persons if there is
posted immediately adjacent to, and readily visible from, such space a sign on which is inscribed
the international symbol of accessibility and may include any appropriate wording to indicate that
the space is reserved for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing license plate
or card. Any person who parks in a space reserved for physically disabled persons and is not
displaying distinguishing license plates or a card is guilty of an infraction and upon conviction
thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars nor more than three hundred
dollars. Any vehicle which has been removed and which is not properly claimed within thirty
days thereafter shall be considered to be an abandoned vehicle.

5. Spaces designated for use by vehicles displaying the distinguishing "disabled" license
plate issued pursuant to section 301.142 or 301.071 shall meet the requirements of the federal
Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, and any rules or regulations established pursuant
thereto. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, on-street parking spaces designated
by political subdivisions in residential areas for the exclusive use of vehicles displaying a
distinguishing license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 shall meet the
requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act pursuant to this subsection and any
such space shall have clearly and visibly painted upon it the international symbol of accessibility
and any curb adjacent to the space shall be clearly and visibly painted blue.

6. Any person who, without authorization, uses a distinguishing license plate or card
issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142 to park in a parking space reserved under authority
of this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor.

7. Law enforcement officials may enter upon private property open to public use to
enforce the provisions of this section and section 301.142, including private property designated
by the owner of such property for the exclusive use of vehicles which display a distinguishing
license plate or card issued pursuant to section 301.071 or 301.142.

8. Nonconforming signs or spaces otherwise required pursuant to this section which are
in use prior to August 28, 1997, shall not be in violation of this section during the useful life of
such signs or spaces. Under no circumstances shall the useful life of the nonconforming signs
or spaces be extended by means other than those means used to maintain any sign or space on
the owner's property which is not used for vehicles displaying a disabled license plate.

9. Beginning August 28, 2008, all new signs erected under this section shall contain
the words "Accessible Parking" in lieu of the words "Handicap Parking".